Recent UT grad creates successful business concept

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A new business created by a recent grad from the University of Tampa is already a success weeks after launching.

The idea came to John Publicover when he was a student at the University of Tampa, not too long ago. He needed a place to store his belongings over summer break. Looking into the conventional method of a storage unit, Publicover did the math; his possessions were not worth what he would pay for a storage unit.

“I looked at what investors were investing in, peer-to-peer platforms, like Uber or AirBnB,” Publicover says. “I thought there needed to be a similar platform where people could list spaces to rent.”

From there, Publicover connected with the Entrepreneurship Center at the University of Tampa, and started building his startup company.

“If someone has a closet, an attic, a basement, garage, basically any extra space in their home, they can rent it out on Storedby,” Publicover says. “In turn, someone looking for a place to store their items can browse the site and find an appropriate size space to rent.”

Storedby also offers parking listings as well.

The company, which just launched its site in April has users who have signed up from all over the world, according to Publicover. With a desktop and mobile browser version currently, an application platform is in the works and expected to be available in the coming months.

Publicover, who graduated from the University of Tampa in May, says he will continue his relationship with his alma matter.

“The entrepreneurship center has an incubator for businesses like mine, and as an alumni I can continue to work out of the university,” he says. “Moving forward as the company grows, I plan to keep the company headquarters here in Tampa.”